The Hoffmans were chosen from a nationwide pool of volunteers who provide housing for international high school students. In his nomination, Fateen highlighted the small, formative moments that defined his year: brothers Eyan and Justin teaching him to fish, a host mother’s gentle interest in his daily life, and a host father who turned a stressful phone bill incident into a calm lesson in responsibility. These acts of patience earned the family top honors for 2026.

Other families were recognized for similar dedication. The Starr family of Ohio took runner-up honors after providing a stable environment for Greta, a student from Germany, while four other households in Nebraska, New York, Louisiana, and Georgia received honorable mentions. According to Michele Kabel, director of the Academic Year in America program, these relationships prove that the core of cultural exchange lies in the ordinary routines of family life.